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Hawaiʻi Island police are asking for the public’s help in providing information about a theft from a tourist attraction in the North Hilo District.

Sometime between the night of February 14 and the morning of February 15, someone removed a black Segway X2 personal transportation vehicle and two 25-gallon cans filled with gasoline from World Botanical Gardens on Old Mamalahoa Highway in Umauma.

Police ask anyone who witnessed the theft, knows the identity of the person or persons responsible for the theft, or knows the location of the stolen items to call Officer Angitau Faanunu at 962-2120.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

A Kona man has been charged with kidnapping and other offenses in connection with a robbery last week in Kailua-Kona.

On February 17, Kona patrol officers responded to an apartment on the 75-5000 block of Lamaokeola Street in Kailua-Kona to a reported robbery.

They received information that a 37-year-old male resident had been visiting with a 36-year-old male friend when a male acquaintance and another man arrived uninvited brandishing a handgun and a machete. The intruders held down the two suspects, assaulted them, demanded money and marijuana and then fled on foot after taking the occupant’s wallet and 10 grams of marijuana.

The occupant sustained minor cuts and scrapes to his hand and forehead. His visitor sustained redness and pain around his left eye. Both men declined medical treatment.

Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.

On February 20, police arrested the acquaintance, 25-year-old Alihilani Stringert of Kailua-Kona, for unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle in an unrelated case and took him to the Kona police cellblock. While he was in custody, detectives from the Criminal Investigations Section arrested him at 4:07 p.m. in connection with the robbery and continued the investigation.

Alihilani Stringert

At 2 p.m. on February 22, he was charged with kidnapping, second-degree assault, third-degree assault, second-degree theft, two counts of first-degree robbery and two counts of first-degree terroristic threatening and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He remained at the cellblock until his initial court appearance Monday (February 25).

The second suspect is still at large. Police ask anyone who knows his identity or has any additional information about this case to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Detective Jason Berryhill at 326-4646, extension 275. Detective Berryhill also may be reached by email at jberryhill@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

31 Hawaii Public Schools will receive a Surprise Cash Award for Striving HI in Exceptional Achievement.

The Strive HI Awards range from $12,500 to $100,000 as a reward for schools that have made significant academic progress for two consecutive years, and ranking in the top five percent in reading and/or mathematics.

The awards represent a one-time grant to the schools to further their improvement efforts.

The award money must be used to make upgrades at the schools, which could include the purchase of technology infrastructure, musical instruments, science lab and equipment, as well as other academic/financial plan-approved expenditures.

The Department of Education’s (DOE) “Strive HI” campaign reflects the department’s commitment to transform public education in the 50th state by preparing students for success, leading education transformation and building a brighter future. Strive HI award funds are part of the state’s Race to the Top (RTTT) federal grant received in 2010.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of $113 million for various capital improvement projects (CIP) at airports and harbors throughout the State of Hawaii.

“These important projects will improve the airport experience across the state – from Hilo to Lihue – as well as the efficiency and capacity at our harbors,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “Funding for many of the Honolulu Harbor improvements are part of a larger New Day Work Project that will increase harbor shipping capacity.”

Allotment of funds for the following priority projects, identified by members of the state Legislature, has been approved by the Governor:

Airports

$50,000,000 – Kahului Airport, Maui – Construction for a multi-lane access road from Hana Highway to the Airport Loop Road; this segment of the Kahului Airport Access Road will connect with the state Highway Division’s segment starting on Hana Highway

$9,800,000 – Kona International Airport at Keahole, Hawaii Island – Construction for the re-roofing of the terminal building

$3,000,000 – Kahului Airport, Maui – Phase I construction for restroom renovations, including the addition of restroom air conditioning

$590,000 – Kona International Airport at Keahole, Hawaii Island – Construction for security improvements at security checkpoints and the Airport Operations Area fence

$400,000 – Honolulu International Airport, Oahu – Additional funds to complete the installation of a security access control system and video monitoring equipment; the additional construction funds are to address unforeseen site conditions relating to the existing electrical conduits and fiber optic cable backbone

$198,716 – Molokai Airport, Molokai – Construction of a new box culvert to replace the existing trapezoidal ditch adjacent to the taxiway; this will bring the taxiway safety area into compliance with current FAA regulations

$10,000,000 – Honolulu Harbor, Oahu – Construction of new mooring structures and upgrades to existing utilities and infrastructure at Piers 12 and 15 to accommodate the relocation of the Clean Island Council and Marine Spill Response Corporation vessels from Pier 35

$9,500,000 – Honolulu Harbor, Oahu – Construction of site improvements including utilities, pavement, and a new box culvert to support the relocation of the UH Marine Center from the Kapalama Military Reservation

$8,500,000 – Honolulu Harbor, Oahu – Construction for renovation of the existing building and related utilities at Pier 35 to accommodate the relocation of the University of Hawaii School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (UH SOEST) from the proposed new Kapalama Container Terminal project site

$7,500,000 – Honolulu Harbor, Oahu – Design for the new Kapalama Container Terminal project to support expanding maritime activities in the harbor, as part of the Harbors New Day Work Project; the design funds will be used for Phase 2 of the project to prepare plans, designs, specifications, and cost estimates to construct a new container yard, roadways and gates, buildings, security fencing, utility infrastructure improvements, and related activities

$2,000,000 – Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor, Oahu – Plans to develop a dedicated fuel berth at the Piers P-3 and P-4 areas as well environmental documentation and preparation of a comprehensive master plan to guide future harbor development

$1,800,000 – Hilo Harbor, Hawaii – Construction management and inspections services for a new pier and related utilities at Pier 4 and to widen Kumau Street to accommodate cargo movement and vehicles

$1,450,000 – Honolulu Harbor, Oahu – Construction management and inspection services for the rehabilitation of buildings and yard areas at Piers 34/35, improvements to the utility systems, pavement overlay, and construction of a new box culvert

$1,000,000 – Honolulu Harbor, Oahu – Construction management and inspection services for the construction of new mooring structures and upgrade of existing utilities and infrastructure at Piers 12 and 15 to accommodate the relocation of the Clean Island Council and Marine Spill Response Corporation vessels that will be relocated from Pier 35

$600,000 – Kahului Harbor, Maui – Design to relocate the Harbors Maui District Office and demolish the existing office and a store facility in accordance with the Kahului Harbor Development Plan